Some consider that this festival is a French invention devoid of any historical value, while others claim that its origin lies in the victory of the Amazighs over the Egyptians in 950 BC
Tisselday, January 13 – Bonfires illuminate the rocky slopes of the High Atlas, marking the start of Yennayer 2975, the Amazigh New Year. As night falls, flames dance in the darkness, hosting a celebration that transcends the boundaries of time and written history. The Amazigh people of North Africa are celebrating not only a new agricultural cycle, but also the resilience of their ancestral traditions in the face of centuries of marginalization.
Yennayer, whose name derives from “yan” (one) and “ayyur” (month) in Tamazight, marks the first month of the year in the Amazigh calendar, a calendar system dating back more than 3,000 years. It is linked to the accession of Sheshonq I to the throne of Egypt, an event engraved in history and in sacred texts. This calendar, today in use in Morocco, remains a deep link between indigenous communities and their thousand-year-old heritage.
Far from being a simple agricultural festival, Yennayer represents a moment of symbolic renewal, punctuated by natural cycles and community rituals. Throughout Morocco, traditional calls resonate: “Aseggas Ambarki”, “Aseggas Amaynou”, “Aseggas Ighoudan”, wishes for prosperity and happiness for the new year.
From marginalization to recognition
Historically, Amazigh identity has been repressed in Morocco, with Arabization policies imposing Arabic as the only language of communication and excluding Tamazight from public space. Successive generations of Amazigh children have been punished for speaking their native language at school, and the traditions have been relegated to folkloric relics.
This situation changed gradually, especially after the official recognition of the Amazigh language in 2011, followed by the adoption of legislative measures to promote its culture and heritage. Last year, in May 2023, King Mohammed VI signed a decree that established Yennayer as a national holiday, marking a major step forward for the rights of the Amazighs and the recognition of their culture in Morocco.
On the eve of Yennayer, families gather for symbolic meals. In the villages of the High Atlas, the smell of ourkemen, a mixture of seven varieties of cereals and legumes, fills the air. This traditional, slow-cooked dish is believed to ensure prosperity and abundance throughout the year.
In the Ouirgane valley, families prepare couscous to garnish the tables, while in Souss, tagoula takes center stage. This dish, made with corn or barley meal, is carefully cooked over a wood fire, and each culinary gesture is loaded with symbolism. A tradition is to hide a date stone in the dish, bringing luck to whoever finds it.
Meals are only one aspect of the celebration: symbolic cleaning of houses, purification rituals using herbal smoke, and sharing food with nature mark this sacred moment. Yennayer is thus a collective celebration of sharing, purification and renewal.
Despite these advances, challenges remain. Amazigh communities continue to fight against socio-economic inequalities. After independence, Morocco pursued a policy of Arabization that marginalized the Berbers. Land management systems have been dismantled, and access to public services remains limited in many Amazigh regions.
The devastating earthquake of September 2023 highlighted the fragilities of Amazigh villages, where infrastructure was insufficient, and where humanitarian aid was slow to arrive. This drama highlighted the gap between symbolic recognition and real equality, despite legislative progress.
Language and education issues
The Amazigh language, although now officially recognized, remains an area of struggle. Although the rate of teaching Tamazight has increased, it remains insufficient to guarantee real inclusion. In many rural areas, children are still deprived of education in their mother tongue, and the use of Tamazight in administrations remains sporadic.
The officialization of the Amazigh language and culture is still only in the implementation phase, and activists like Ahmed Assid highlight the slow disappearance of the language, although it is considered the living heart of the Amazigh identity.
This year, Yennayer 2975 symbolizes both a cultural victory and a call for justice. It is a moment of celebration but also a reminder of the struggles that remain. As bonfires continue to shine on the High Atlas Mountains, the Yennayer festival serves as a reminder that, even in modernity, the cultural roots of the Amazighs remain alive and strong, and that there is still a long way to go for this recognition becomes real equality.
In every celebration, every meal shared, every story told around the fire, Amazigh communities reaffirm their identity and their resilience. The path to equality is still strewn with pitfalls, but with each passing year, the Yennayer becomes a symbol of progress, dignity and renewal for the Amazigh people of Morocco.
MK/te/APA
